Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VGP / Quang Hieu)

Concluding the government meeting for November on Wednesday, Prime Minister Phuc pointed out some bright spots of the economy, such as economic and social recovery on the right track and the role of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies in helping difficult businesses. Foreign affairs and international integration have achieved positive results and Vietnam's image and reputation have been enhanced. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RECP) will take effect in the next 18 months, opening up opportunities for Vietnam's exports.

In the wake of new cases of COVID-19 reported in the community, the Prime Minister said that on Wednesday afternoon, the Government Office will submit to him a draft public notice on COVID-19 prevention. Mr. Phuc instructed Ho Chi Minh City and relevant agencies to work on zoning and tracing those in close contact with the patients, saying people's health must be prioritized, if not the price we pay will be very high.

As just 1 month is left until the end of 2020, the Prime Minister asked for efforts to promote exports to markets that are participating in trade agreements to which Vietnam is also a party and increase  imports of essential goods, technology, and medical equipment from the US.

Prime Minister Phuc directed the accelerated disbursement of both state budget capital and official development assistance (ODA) as a large amount of capital remains undisbursed.

From the success of bringing goods to the countryside in the past, the Prime Minister launched an initiative to bring goods from rural to urban areas. He said, “We are talking of stimulating consumption by bringing goods to the countryside, the opposite is true. Today we have a new initiative of bringing goods from rural to urban areas. This is a new way to help move income from urban to rural areas to help boost output, jobs, and growth in rural areas."